Heart of My Own

Written during a quick visit to the Yukon Territory, Heart of My Own jumps from sparse, intimate folk to lush Americana, with each song conjuring up images of the striking subarctic geography that inspired it. Basia Bulat was virtually unknown when she issued her debut album in 2007, and this follow-up effort (released after two years of heavy touring) paints her as a more self-assured, worldly songwriter. The shaking quality of her voice has been molded into a quick, informal vibrato, and producer Howard Bilerman -- the same man who produced 2007's Oh, My Darling -- decorates her songs with rootsy arrangements, the most ornate of which feature percussion, multiple stringed instruments, horns, and piano. Calling Heart of My Own a loud album would be an overstatement; these songs may not be fragile, but they're certainly far from expansive, with the most attention being paid to Bulat and her autoharp. Those who gravitated toward her debut will feel a similar pull to this album, though, which essentially reprises Oh, My Darling's sound with slightly more confidence. ~ Andrew Leahey